It seems that Microsoft’s Windows Mobile platform isn’t doing well in the lucrative and ever-growing smartphone market whereas the iPhone, RIM and Android operating systems are up to par. According to figures released by Gartner last month, Microsoft’s mobile operating system had 11 percent of the global smartphone market in Q3 2008. A year later, it had 7.9 percent of the market, while the iPhone’s share had risen from 12.9 percent to 17.1 percent, and RIM’s share had risen from 16 percent to 20.8 percent.
As Neowin notes: if you can’t beat them, join them. In a bid to stay competitive, the Redmond-based tech juggernaut is planning to develop apps for the Apple’s iPhone. Among them include Bing Search and MSN messenger apps. According to sources, the two iPhone apps will most likely be released in March 2010, alongside with the upcoming Windows Live Wave 4 updates.
Last week, Microsoft principal group program manager David Raissipour confirmed Microsoft is developing a Bing app that will combine a couple of features — more than mapping and search. When asked by CNET about their plans of Bing on the iPhone, he said “It’s certainly possible. That’s a rich platform.”
The official MSN messenger iPhone app is going to be really cool! Although there’s not word from the folks of Microsoft of how the MSN messenger iPhone app will look like and the features offered, but I believe the chat interface will be quite similar to its current desktop client. Currently, iPhone addicts who intend to chat with their friends or family members via MSN messenger would have to log in through third-party apps such as Meebo, eBuddy or IM + Lite.
Via Neowin